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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A composition written for nine instruments.






2. Lowest female singing voice.






3. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






4. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






5. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






6. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






7. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






8. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






9. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






10. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






11. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






12. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






13. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






14. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






15. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






16. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






17. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






18. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






19. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






20. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






21. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






22. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






23. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






24. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






25. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






26. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






27. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






28. The structure of a piece of music.






29. The highest female voice.






30. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






31. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






32. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






33. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






34. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






35. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






36. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






37. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






38. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






39. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






40. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






41. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






42. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






43. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






44. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






45. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






46. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






47. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






48. A symbol indicating to play loud.






49. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






50. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.